Chrysanthemum plant named Majestic

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Majestic, characterized by its medium to dark lavender flower color; vigorous growth habit; double flower form; dense and relatively large diameter capitulum; 9 week response period.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name Majestic.

Majestic is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new Chrysanthemum cultivars having large darklavender decorative flowers on a plant exhibiting excellent habit whengrown year round, and producing numerous breaks when the plants arepinched. Such traits in combination were not present in previouslyavailable commercial cultivars.

Majestic was originated from a hybridization made by Peter S. Hesse in acontrolled breeding program in West Chicago, Ill. in 1980. The femaleparent was the cultivar Distinctive. The male parent of Majestic was thecultivar Burgundy. Majestic was discovered and selected as one floweringplant within the progeny of the stated parentage by applicant inNovember 1981 in a controlled environment in Bradenton, Fla.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Majestic was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in March 1982in a controlled environment in Parrish, Fla. by a technician workingunder formulations established and supervised by applicant.Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in May 1982 hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor Majestic are firmly fixed and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Majestic, which in combination distinguishthis Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Nine week response period.

2. Vigorous growth habit.

3. A very double flower form with few disc florets present.

4. Diameter of capitulum 10-12 cm.

5. Individual florets range up to 60 mm long at outer edge of capitulum(fully expanded petals).

6. A very dense flower, with approximately 510 ray florets percapitulum.

7. Finished height 20-25 cm above the edge of the pot depending upongrowing conditions and growth regulator applications.

8. Flower color is dark lavender under winter growing conditions andmedium lavender with no color breaking under summer growing conditions.

Majestic has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Parrish, Fla. under greenhouse conditions which approximatethose generally used in commercial practice.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to Majestic is Deep Hotpink. In comparison to DeepHotpink, Majestic has wider ray florets, the entire flower is morereflexed and exhibits less color fading as flowers mature.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical inflorescence andfoliage characteristics of Majestic. The photograph is in black andwhite, with three flowers being colored to accurately depict true flowercolor.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart. The color values were determinedbetween 9 and 10 a.m. on Apr. 22, 1987 under fluorescent light atParrish, Fla.

Classification:

Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Majestic.

Commercial.--Decorative pot.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Double.

Diameter across face.--10-12 cm.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Mediumlavender.

Color (upper surface).--78B.

Color (under surface).--78D.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Yellow.

Color (immature).--Lime green.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Very few; present in disc florets only.

Gynoecium.--Present in both disc and ray florets.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--20-24 cm above the edge of the pot.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--147A.

Color (under surface).--147B.

Shape.--Ovate, deeply lobed with crenate leaf margins.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant namedMajestic, as illustrated and described, and particularly characterizedby its medium to dark lavender flower color; vigorous growth habit;double flower form; dense and relatively large diameter capitulum, andits 9 week response period.